Chapter 12: You can't raise a thousand-mile horse in a courtyard, nor grow a ten-thousand-year pine in a flowerpot!

Chen Yan spoke eloquently, his words righteous and awe-inspiring.

It seemed as if he were doing something extremely reasonable and justified.

"Give you fifteen minutes to convince me!"

Yuwen Hu glanced sideways at Chen Yan, raised a finger, and coldly said: "Otherwise, according to corruption and bribery charges, you'll be punished severely!"

His tone was especially icy, unfeeling.

It was like flattering a horse and hitting its hoof.

Seeing this, Chen Yan remained calm, chose his words, and said: "As the Grand Minister overseeing state affairs, you surely know better than subordinates how expensive firewood and rice are, right?"

"Pacifying the people, building bridges and roads, distributing porridge for relief, forging military equipment, defending against Qi State—each of these requires money."

"One who doesn't manage a household doesn't know the value of firewood and rice."

"So-called governance is burning money and silver; whether internal administration or external military affairs, both require massive financial support."

"Especially to the east of Great Zhou, there is the Gao clan's Qi State eyeing it like a tiger."

"Both Zhou and Qi states want to annex each other and unify the northern lands."

Yuwen Hu's face was expressionless as he turned the jade ring, saying lightly: "Please continue...."

His expression was extremely complex.

"If the Grand Minister wishes to govern diligently, he must surely pour out vast amounts of silver!"

Chen Yan lifted his head and made a sharp conclusion.

Immediately, he sharply shifted his tone and continued: "Moreover, Dugu Lao Zhuguo, serving as Grand Minister of Works, disagrees with your policies and will surely obstruct you at every turn...."

Even if one hasn't witnessed it personally, the power struggle between the minister and the pillar of the state...

But based on past experience, Chen Yan also knows that Dugu Lao Zhuguo will surely trip him up openly and covertly.

If half of the Grand Minister's policies can be smoothly implemented, that's already good.

His words fell.

Yuwen Hu remained silent for a long time, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Chen Yan; after a while he said: "Someone, bring tea for Mirror Master Chen!"

He never expected that this youngster's words would strike right at his heart....

"Thank you, Grand Minister!"

Chen Yan's mouth corners slightly rose as he thanked.

The personal guard waiting outside promptly entered and served tea.

"So then, what does this have to do with your bribery of silver notes?" Yuwen Hu lifted his teacup.

Obviously, this is a question asked despite knowing the answer.

Yuwen Hu simply wanted to hear the youngster say it himself, to see if his view coincided with his own.

"The Grand Minister holds sufficient silver in his hands...."

Chen Yan swirled his teacup, speaking with rising and falling cadence: "Then one can bypass the Ministry of Land's approval process, unleash one's abilities, and fully display one's ambitions!"

In plain terms, it means having money in hand and no worry in heart.

The economic base determines the superstructure.

Only with sufficient financial surplus can one gradually hollow out the Ministry of Land and eventually seize the position of Grand Minister of Works.

"Hahaha!"

Yuwen Hu burst into laughter: "Chen Yan, Chen Yan, your vision is truly sharp!"

"These silver notes, I accept them!"

Every time I see this youngster, there's always a different surprise.

Among the court officials, none see as clearly as Chen Yan, and none can share his worries.

This is great talent, fit for a premier!

"Thank you, Grand Minister, for your esteem!"

Chen Yan smiled, knowing he had passed the test, and flattered: "Being able to contribute modestly is an honor for a subordinate!"

Yuwen Hu restrained his smile, abruptly shifted the topic, and reminded: "That Daxi Jue is an old subordinate of the Grand Minister of Justice...."

"I am aware," Chen Yan nodded, speaking solemnly.

This so-called Grand Minister of Justice is Zhao Qian, one of the Eight Pillars, Duke of Chu, Grand Commander, who leads the Qiu Official Office and oversees judicial security.

He is on good terms with Dugu Zhao, the other Pillar serving as Grand Minister of Works, and together they constitute the two major obstacles to the Grand Minister in court.

Their power is intertwined, foundations deep, like the sun at high noon.

And Daxi Jue once served under Zhao Qian, campaigning south and north, earning great military merit, regarded as a right-hand man.

"Aren't you afraid of the Grand Minister of Justice's retaliation?"

Yuwen Hu sized up Chen Yan, who understood the risks yet remained unmoved, and asked.

"Fearless!" Chen Yan raised his head and slowly uttered two words.

On his youthful face lay an indescribable steadfastness.

"Oh?"

Yuwen Hu's interest was piqued, and he asked again: "So you have such confidence?"

Chen Yan met Yuwen Hu's gaze, smiled faintly, and declared loudly: "I serve the Grand Minister; the Grand Minister will surely protect me!"

"The Grand Minister is my confidence!"

His words were full of confidence.

"If even his subordinates cannot be protected, then Yuwen Hu would be unworthy of being a great minister."

Chen Yan clearly understood that after taking on this matter, he represented not himself, but the Grand Minister's dignity and authority.

Whoever moves against him is slapping the Grand Minister's face.

"Good kid!"

Yuwen Hu stared at Chen Yan, involuntarily nodding, "It's clear enough...."

He paused, then continued: "Even if you let go and act, no matter what means you use, you still only need the result...."

"Everything else is mine!"

In his calm tone lay the promise of a powerful minister.

Grand Minister of Justice Zhao Qian?

It's a good opportunity to see if this old tiger dares to show his fangs....

I, your servant, will surely not disappoint the Grand Chancellor's high expectations!

Feeling that full sense of security, Chen Yan rejoiced, his voice low: "If there's nothing else, I'll get on it right away...."

He was quite sure that after this matter, he would be thoroughly bound to the Grand Chancellor's warship.

Having said that, he prepared to rise, salute, and take his leave.

"Don't rush, I can't just take your silver note for free!"

Yuwen Hu raised his hand, called Chen Yan to stop, took the land deed pressed at the corner of the table, and said: "This is the residence I've arranged for you on the outskirts of Huangcheng...."

"Move there as soon as possible!"

This residence was the one Yuchi Min had found yesterday.

Originally I planned to give it to Chen Yan at a later opportunity, but it just so happened he came today....

"This..."

I, your servant, what merit or ability do I have...

Chen Yan held the land deed, hesitated, filled with awe and fear.

That residence is on the outskirts of Huangcheng, every inch of land is precious, and it's not small in size.

He gave Qingyu that ten thousand taels of silver, but it's probably not enough to buy even one-tenth of it....

This gift is too heavy.

"Don't decline!"

Yuwen Hu raised his eyes, in an unquestionable tone, said solemnly: "Since you're handling affairs for me, how could I shortchange you?"

"Living outside the city and running back and forth also wastes time...."

He had even prepared his reasons in advance.

"Thank you, Grand Chancellor!"

Chen Yan no longer hesitated, a flash of determination in his eyes, he thanked.

"Go!"

"Do it wholeheartedly!"

Yuwen Hu closed his eyes, waved his hand.

"I, your servant, take my leave!"

Chen Yan put away the land deed, turned and left.

After a moment.

In the dark chamber inside the hall, a person stepped out, stood beside Yuwen Hu, and said: "Grand Chancellor, you truly value this young man!"

This person, with the double surname Gongyang, single name Hui, is a strategist of the Tian Guan Fu.

Yuwen Hu opened his eyes, smiled, and replied: "Her child, naturally should be valued more...."

Gongyang Hui bowed, eyes slightly narrowed, asked: "But entrusting the matter of dealing with the remnants of the Deposed Emperor to a novice like this is too much, isn't it?"

Grand Chancellor, should we reconsider a bit?

Yuwen Hu gazed far into the distance beyond the window, and said lightly: "You can't raise a thousand-li horse in a courtyard, nor grow a ten-thousand-year pine in a flowerpot!"